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" My son is still recovering from whatever nasty bug caught hold of him and it has left him tired and feverish. I am a bit superstitiously reluctant to admit there are some benefits to having a sick 4-year-old: He&amp;#039;ll snuggle up next to me to read books all afternoon. I have an excuse (checking his temperature) to press my lips against his hot forehead 400 times a day. We can order up one Christmas movie after another. And the naps are, temporarily, back. So I was able to sneak into the kitchen one afternoon and roll some albondigas, pork-and-mint meatballs that I would simmer in broth with carrots and green beans to make soup. I had finally ordered the dish at a Mexican restaurant where we have become Sunday regulars and it was so good I doubt I&amp;#039;ll ever order anything else from them. My soup couldn&amp;#039;t compare, but it was warm and light on a cold, snowy evening.  To make the albondigas, I mixed 2 tablespoons uncooked white rice, 3 tablespoons bread crumbs, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons grated onion, 2 cloves garlic put through the garlic press, \u00BD teaspoon salt, \u00BD teaspoon cumin and a couple tablespoons minced fresh mint. Once that was combined, I mixed in a pound of ground pork with my hands, then formed 1-in. meatballs. I diced the rest of my onion and cooked it in a little oil until soft, then I added 6 cups chicken stock, brought that to a simmer and added the meatballs. Simmered for 20 minutes, then added cut-up carrots and green beans. Simmered another 30 minutes, then served with more chopped mint, lime wedges and warmed tortillas.  Here&amp;#039;s WD&amp;#039;s recipe for albondigas. Their version has zucchini and crushed tortilla chips, and are browned in a skillet, then braised in enchilada sauce.  OK, the peanut blossoms may be a family favorite, but these caramel shortbread squares live on in my memory as the best holiday cookie ever. And I have a nostalgic place in my heart for these candy cane cookies (there&amp;#039;s a tale involving a hospital stay over the holidays and some kind family friends). Either would be a welcome gift for anyone who is not trying to lose weight.  Have you ever tried to reproduce a restaurant favorite? How successful were you? \u2014 Kim Walker "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/food-recipes/a43942/naptime-meatballs-5328/>